Spherical equivalent (SE) has not been linked to increased cardiovascular morbidity. Methods: 132 Hungarian twins (age 43.3±16.9 years) underwent refraction measurements (Huvitz MRK-3100 Premium AutoRefractokeratometer) and oscillometry (TensioMed Arteriograph). Results: Heritability analysis indicated major role for genetic components in the presence of right and left SE (82.7%, 95%CI, 62.9 to 93.7%, and 89.3%, 95%CI, 72.8 to 96.6%), while unshared environmental effects accounted for 17% (95%CI, 6.3% to 37%), and 11% (95%CI, 3.4% to 26.7%) of variations adjusted for age and sex. Bilateral SE showed weak age-dependent correlations with augmentation index (AIx), aortic pulse wave velocity (r ranging between 0.218 and 0.389, all p < 0.01), aortic systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure (r between 0.188 and 0.289, p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings support heritability of spherical equivalent, which does not coexist with altered hemodynamics (e.g. accelerated arterial aging). Accordingly, SE and the investigated hemodynamic parameters seem neither phenotypically nor genetically associated.Keywords: arterial stiffness, augmentation index, genetics, heritability, refractionThe first "twin study" was published in 1922 by Walter Jablonski, the first ophthalmologist who used both monozygotic and dizygotic twins to examine the factors that determine the development of the refraction of the eye. He declared "the smaller differences are seen in the majority of monozygotic cases, while larger differences occur in dizygotic cases" (23).Since then, numerous articles discussed the role of inheritance, the genetic predisposition and the gene-environment interactions taking part in the formation of the refractive characteristics of the eye confirming that genetic factors account for 77-94% of the genetic variance (10,25,26,43). However, a similar study in a wide-age range sample is still needed. In addition, despite heritability of refraction was thoroughly investigated in the studies *These authors contributed equally to this work.